2nd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting in Colombo

The 2nd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting commenced today (15th October 2024) at Courtyard, Colombo, with Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander of the Navy, gracing the event as the Chief Guest.

Held on 15th and 16th October, the 2nd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting is attended by directors, officials, and legal and technical experts from navies, authorities, and agencies from across the Indo-Pacific. The event, organized by the IORIS Steering Committee, seeks to enhance regional governance of the platform and is co-hosted by the Sri Lanka Navy.

This EU funded platform, promoted by CRIMARIO II, aims to enhance information sharing, crisis and incident management, and inter-agency cooperation in maritime surveillance, with particular attention to supporting sustainable fisheries, and more secure seas which are crucial for global trade and in the shared interest of all participating nations.

Addressing the distinguished gathering, the Commander of the Navy emphasized the importance of co-hosting the 2nd IORIS Steering Committee Policy Board and Working Groups Meeting. He highlighted that this event has created a critical opportunity to enhance regional maritime cooperation and connectivity across the Indo-Pacific. He stressed the need for stronger collaboration to tackle emerging challenges and underscored the importance of sharing information among maritime states to achieve this goal. The Commander also noted the Sri Lanka Navy's pivotal role in ensuring freedom of navigation and taking over of the command of Combined Task Force 154, under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in 2025. He concluded by stating that no single state can ensure maritime security alone, and such meetings offer a valuable platform for all stakeholders to collaborate effectively.